A home-grown firm has broken into the ranks of established defence manufacturers and scientists here to bag one of Singapore's top defence technology prizes.Microfine Materials Technologies was honoured yesterday at the Defence Technology Prize ceremony, for partnering national defence research body - DSO National Laboratories - to design and build an unmanned underwater vessel that can detect mines in shallow water.The annual Ministry of Defence (Mindef) event, to honour the finest in defence research and engineering, was held at The Chevrons club in Jurong.The M400 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle's key feature is its special sensor that will allow sailors to spot targets faster. The remote vehicle will be operational in two years. Operated remotely by four people, the 600kg vessel will be able to match, if not surpass, the capabilities of the existing Mine Countermeasure Vessel, which is manned by 20 people, said Mr Goh Ing Nam, DSO's Sensors Division programme director.

He added that it will allow the navy to hunt down sea mines without putting sailors at risk.Dr Lim Leong-Chew, who set up Microfine Materials Technologies in 1996, said he was happy to make a breakthrough in local defence science research, an area dominated by bigger players such as the DSO, Defence Science Technology Agency and Singapore Technologies."It's not just about making money but (finding) what technology you want to take Singapore to the world," said Dr Lim.Mindef's chief defence scientist Quek Tong Boon hopes more firms will come forward to partner the DSO. "We have been tapping the innovativeness, agility and efficiency of smaller companies to complement what we can get from larger research labs and companies in our R&D efforts," said Mr Quek.

SMEs will be able to provide solutions for the armed forces, he said, adding that today's technologies, such as sensors and robotics, have dual purposes in the military and civilian world.

At the ceremony yesterday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen also gave out the top prizes to four people and another team for breakthroughs in their fields of research.Winning work included customising the capabilities of the SAF's artillery guns and devising software to thwart attempts to jam communications networks.Paying tribute to the defence researchers and engineers, Dr Ng said Singapore will continue to invest significantly to maintain, if not grow, the talent pool.Noting that there had been a 30 per cent jump in the number of people who took up the SAF's science and engineering scholarships in the past four years, he said: "That is a significant jump and it shows that we are on the right path."(Straits Times)

KFX fighter (image : reddit)The Indonesian parliament has approved a first batch of funds totaling some 89 billion won to be invested in jointly developing a new South Korean fighter jet.

An official at the South Korean embassy in Jakarta said Saturday that the Indonesian parliament approved the funds for the project, dubbed the KF-X.Following the latest budget approval, the two governments and the participating aerospace companies, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and PT Dirgantara Indonesia will begin negotiations to sign a project deal in early November in Jakarta.

Indonesia plans to cover one-point-seven trillion won or some 20 percent of the KF-X development cost.

With the first batch of funds green-lighted, Seoul's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) believes Indonesia will approve the remaining budget in phases as well.

Under a basic agreement on the KF-X joint development signed last year, Indonesia will receive one trial fighter jet and design-related information. Its engineers will also take part in the project. (KBS World)KF-X to Include Stealth TechnologyThe Agency for Defense Development has officially said that stealth technology is involved in South Korea’s domestic fighter jet project, dubbed the KF-X.

Agency President Chung Hong-yong made the remark at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly Defense Committee on Friday.

Asked about how advanced South Korea’s stealth technology is, Chung said he could not publicly disclose details but that stealth technology will go into the fighter jet.

He also said the United States rejected Seoul's request for a stealth technology transfer for the KF-X project, but South Korea has been developing the technology on its own since 1997.

Chung said South Korea’s stealth technology is considerably advanced in terms of design and materials, adding that discussions are under way on whether to apply what has already been developed. (KBSWorld)

30 Oktober 2015

The US government has approved the sale of three additional Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) launchers to Thailand (photo : RTN)WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $26.9 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 28, 2015.The Government of Thailand requested a possible sale of Major Defense Equipment for its Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) program. The total estimated value of MDE is $18,570,385. The total overall estimated value is $26,943,445.Major Defense Equipment (MDE) includes: sixteen (16) Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM), fourteen (14) tactical missiles and two (2) telemetry missiles), three (3) MK25 Quad Pack canisters, ten (10) MK783 shipping containersAlso included with this request is additional equipment; training; and technical services.This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by increasing the ability of Thailand to contribute to regional security and improving interoperability with the U.S. Navy.Thailand will use the ESSM to provide ship battlespace self-defense and firepower, which will improve its capability to meet current and future naval threats.The proposed sale of these equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.The principal contractors are: Raytheon Missile Systems/RMS (Tucson, Arizona), BAE Systems (Aberdeen, South Dakota), SAAB, 9LV MK4 Combat Management System (Sweden), Lockheed Martin (Baltimore, MD).There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Thailand.There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Wideband High Frequency radio trial (photo : Aus DoD)The Australian Defence Force has transferred high quality imagery and colour video via Wideband High Frequency (WBHF) radio as part of the Royal Australian Air Force’s technology upgrade, Plan Jericho.Today’s trial of the WBHF technology at HMAS Harman in Canberra is a major technical advance over the existing High Frequency (HF) radio infrastructure.During live, over-the-air tests, a standard Internet Protocol (IP) data link was established between an Army node operating at HMAS Harman, the Chief Information Officer Group’s (CIOG) strategic HF network at RAAF Base Townsville and RAAF Base Wagga, and an AP-3C Orion aircraft at RAAF Base Edinburgh.Voice communications, messages, photographs and videos can all be transferred via the WBHF radio which doesn’t rely on a satellite.This technology can provide data rates up to 10 times faster than what is available in current fielded systems and allows existing HF infrastructure to integrate the new WBHF system.The testing of the communications system is a joint initiative involving Army, Navy, Air Force and CIOG, in collaboration with industry partner Rockwell Collins.

RAAF AP-3C (photo : Andrew Napier)Air Force Wing Commander Daniel Howarth said the enhanced HF communications capability could provide a backup to existing satellite communications.“Being able to transfer secure data via the WBHF radio could provide greater flexibility and survivability to the Australian Defence Force in the future,” he said.“Whether it’s a real time conversation, streaming live video or the rapid transfer of large data files, this technology has the ability to deliver a true sovereign beyond line of sight communications capability for us.”WGCDR Howarth said the trial was a great example of the three Defence services working in conjunction with each other supported by CIOG; a key goal of Air Force’s Plan Jericho.“We must strive to operate more closely, providing purposeful outcomes,” he said.“It’s important for us to turn the Air Force into a fifth-generation service, and the use of advanced systems like this, will help us do that.”(Aua DoD)

F/A-50 Fighting Eagle (photo : KAI)MANILA (PNA) --- There is a very high chance that the South Korean-made F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" will be making an appearance during the 80th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in December.Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez during an interview Thursday, said, "ninety percent the (first two) F/A-50s will play a role in the coming 80th AFP founding anniversary."Galvez said that it is very likely that the F/A-50s will play the centerpiece of this year's celebration."I don't know whether the planes will perform a high-speed pass or not but I know the aircraft will be the centerpiece of the celebration," the DND spokesperson disclosed.The Philippines contract with Korea Aerospace Industries is worth Php18.9-billion.The 12 aircraft deal was signed last February 2014.An initial two units is expected to be delivered by December this year.The F/A-50 has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.The F/A-50 will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines gets enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities such as the use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.The F/A-50 uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korean Aerospace Industries.The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner. (PNA)

F-35A and KFX (image : militaryphotos)President Park Geun-hye asked the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Tuesday, to make efforts to push forward the country's KF-X project to develop indigenous fighter jets by 2025 as scheduled.The comments from the President came amid growing concerns that a delay in the project could be unavoidable because the National Assembly may cut the relevant budget following the U.S. refusal to allow Lockheed Martin to transfer core technologies related to its F-35 stealth fighters to Korea.She made the remarks when DAPA head Chang Myoung-jin visited Cheong Wa Dae to brief her about the procurement agency's measures to handle the crisis facing the project.Chang was quoted as saying by lawmakers of the National Assembly Defense Committee, "After listening to my report, President Park asked me to do the best to push the KF-X as planned, because it is the nation's most important project."According to officials, Chang told Park about DAPA's plans to push for domestic development of related technologies along with cooperation with foreign companies.Chang attended the Defense Committee's subcommittee meeting hours after he visited Park.The Defense Committee has been holding this meeting from Monday to examine the defense budget for next year, but the evaluation is being dragged out with lawmakers saying that they need more time to look into KF-X funding.Rep. Kim Sung-chan of the ruling Saenuri Party said, "We decided to further examine the reliability and feasibility of the KF-X project."Rep. Yoon Hu-duk of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) also said, "We need more time to decide whether to go with or reduce or increase the KF-X budget."Lawmakers say the plenary session will possible be held on Thursday.Observers say with the President expressing willingness to go forward with the project as scheduled, it would be difficult for the members of the ruling party to cut the KF-X budget. The subcommittee is examining whether the 67 billion won submitted by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance is reasonable to be earmarked next year for the KF-X project.The ministry and the DAPA were hoping the Assembly would increase the funding, as the money was already cut in September by the finance ministry from the 161.8 billion won that the DAPA initially requested.But concerns grew that there would be a cut again in the 67 billion won after the U.S.'s refusal, which dealt a serious setback to the KF-X, weakening the feasibility of the 8.5 trillion won project.Defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said it would be improper to delay a national project because a few technologies are currently unsatisfactory."We are hoping that the necessary budget will be approved so that the project can go forward," he told reporters in a regular briefing. "The KF-X is a very important project for the Air Force and for the development of the aviation industry. It should be completed."In April, the U.S. government refused to allow the transfer of four technologies ― the active electronically scanned array radar, infrared search and tracking, an electronic optics targeting pod and an RF jammer.(Korea Times)

28 Oktober 2015

KD Kasturi and KD Lekiu of the Royal Malaysia Navy (photo : watan)Malaysia has cut its defense budget by over 2% for 2016 in yet another sign that budget constraints are undermining the country’s defense spending plans, Prime Minister Najib Razak revealed in an annual speech to the nation delivered October 23.As I have noted before, Malaysian defense officials have repeatedly called for a boost to the country’s maritime and aerial capabilities in the face of rising threats ranging from piracy to terrorism and Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, which has begun to affect the country to a greater extent in recent years.But according to Najib’s annual budget speech delivered on Friday, the amount allocated for defense was just 17.3 billion ringgit ($4 billion), a decrease of 2.25% relative to the 17.7 billion ringgit allocated for 2015. The 2015 defense budget, by contrast, had constituted a 10% increase over 2014 levels.The decrease is not surprising. Najib’s budget speech comes amid severe concerns about Southeast Asia’s third largest economy. Economic growth, already sluggish this year due to falling commodity prices, a weak ringgit, and a state investment fund scandal implicating Najib himself, is expected to slow to just 4% – 5% in 2016. Najib’s own political survival has been questioned, with a no-confidence vote tabled by the opposition in parliament (even though it is unlikely to succeed).To be sure, the cut is not that drastic, and Malaysia’s defense spending as a percentage of GDP continues to hover at 1.5% as it has for years. Furthermore, Najib emphasized in his speech that the government was “committed to implementing capacity-building plans for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in stages.” His remarks confirm that existing procurement plans – including the acquisition of six littoral combat ship vessels and an air defense weapons system – would not be affected by the budget cut.Yet concerns will continue to linger about Malaysia’s lagging capabilities in the face of the manifold threats the country faces, including piracy, smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, illegal fishing, and encroachments by regional neighbors like Indonesia and the Philippines. Some new programs being mulled had already been shelved due to budgetary constraints, and the current economic environment only compounds existing problems in funding the country’s much-needed capability boosts.(The Diplomat)

Bell 205A of the PAF (photo : PAF)MANILA (PNA) --- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has allocated the sum of Php6,000,000 for the acqusition of spareparts needed for the repair and maintenance of one of its Bell-205A helicoptersBid opening is scheduled at Nov. 10, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.The Bell-205 is the civilian version of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopters.It is type-certificated in the transport category and is used in a wide variety of applications, including crop dusting, cargo lifting and aerial firefighting.The PAF is known to operate four to six units of the said helicopter. (PNA)

Boeing MD-530G light attack scout helicopter (photo : mdhelicopters)When November Comes..SHAH ALAM: MALAYSIA is expected to sign for at least eight MD-530G light attack scout helicopter in late November. The helicopters to be operated jointly by the RMAF and the Army are expected to be deployed in ESSCOM once delivered.Industry sources told Malaysian Defence, officials were working feverishly to ensure that the signing ceremony could be held in November when Malaysia is scheduled to host the East Asia summit.However, if the agreement could not be worked out for the signing ceremony this November, the deal could be made official at the DSA 2016 exhibition next April.Apart from the MD530G, Boeing AH-6i and ex-US Army Kiowa Warriors were also considered to fulfill the Light Scout Attack Helicopter requirement.It is not known what type of weapons are to be procured for the Little Birds. According to MD Helicopters, the MH-530G could be fitted with a range of weapons systems from the Dillon Aero M134D minigun, the FN Herstal 50 caliber Heavy Machine Gune Pod or the Heavy Machine Rocket Gun Pod, the Talon guided rockets and the Hellfire ATGM. The helicopter could also be fitted with personnel carrying rig.It is expected that the Little Bird version to be procured is the same as the example displayed at LIMA 2015 earlier this year.Among others, the MD 530G displayed at LIMA featured the 650 shp Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine, longer main-rotor blades, high-capacity landing gear, the Moog Stores Management System (SMS), Harris Corporation’s RF-7850A-UA tactical radio and the Thales’ Scorpion helmet-mounted cueing system.It also featured the Mace Aviation Extended Range Weapons Wing(ER2W), FN Herstal Machine Gun Pods and Rocket Machine Pods, Dillon Aero M134D-H Mini-Gun, the L-3 Wescam MX-10, and M260 rocket pod with TALON laser-guided rockets.(Malaysian Defence)

27 Oktober 2015

The Forgacs-built landing craft, VOEA Late, which has been donated by the Australian government to Tonga. (photo : Aus DoD)The Kingdom of Tonga has inducted a new Australian-built landing craft, the country's Ministry of Information and Communications confirmed to IHS Jane's on 26 October.The vessel, which has been named VOEA Late (pennant number A401), was donated in an arrangement, understood to be worth approximately AUD5 million (USD3.6 million), with the Australian Department of Defence (DoD). The deal was announced in May 2014, and IHS Jane's reported in September that the landing craft was undertaking final sea trials ahead of delivery.A ministry spokesperson told IHS Jane's that the vessel was commissioned on 23 October.According to specifications provided by the vessel's shipbuilder, Forgacs Engineering, Late has an overall length of 30.4 m and a beam of 8 m. The steel-hulled vessel has a top speed of 10 kt and a cruising speed of 8 kt. Late can accommodate six crew members and has deck space capacity for up to four 20 ft ISO shipping containers with approximately 295 dwt.Besides the transportation of stores, personnel, and military vehicles of up to 85 tonnes, the vessel can be used for emergency towing. The vessel "will also allow Tonga to participate in regional disaster relief operations, such as the response effort following Cyclone Pam in March this year when a Tongan patrol boat was one of the first assets to assist Vanuatu", said the Australian DoD in an August statement issued during a visit by Tonga's chief of defence staff, Tonga Brigadier Lord Fielakepa, to the Forgacs shipyard in Newcastle, Australia. The visit was timed to coincide with the vessel's sea trials.(Jane's)

Cockpit of T-50 Golden Eagle (photo : kaidom)Honeywell Aerospace will supply avionics for the Royal Thai Air Force’s T-50 Golden Eagle fleet under a new contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).The agreement will see Honeywell supply its Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI), radar altimeter, lighting and Electric Flight Instrument system for the aircraft. The new equipment will improve aircraft performance and reliability, and increase aircrew safety. The EGI navigation system is designed to aid crew in navigation, pointing, stabilization and flight control applications. The radar altimeter provides pilots and flight control computers with an indication of height above the nearest terrain point below the aircraft. It ensures the pilot and crew have the most accurate information about the landscape around their aircraft to maneuver and conduct missions safely and precisely. Mark Burgess, vice president, APAC, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace, said: ‘This contract with KAI cements our commitment to the South Korean defense market as the country strengthens its position as a defense manufacturer.‘Honeywell is working very closely with KAI as it seeks to grow market share for the T-50 globally and build on its successes in Indonesia, Iraq and the Philippines. We will also continue to support KAI on its T-X programme for the United States Air Force.’The T-50 Golden Eagle is a supersonic advanced trainer and multirole light fighter developed by KAI.(Shephard)

The Royal Australian Air Force flies the Northrop Grumman LITENING advanced targeting pod on its F/A-18 aircraft as the Hornet Target Designation System. (photo : RAAF)ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has extended its contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to provide logistics support for its F/A-18 Hornet Target Designation Systems, which use the AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING pod.The contract is the second four-year extension of the agreement between the RAAF and Northrop Grumman. Under the terms of the award, Northrop Grumman will continue to provide in-service support for the RAAF's LITENING targeting pods and data links at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.

"This extension strengthens the Northrop Grumman-RAAF partnership and our company's long-term commitment to the Commonwealth," said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. "In addition to the support award, several enhancements have recently been authorized for the Hornet Target Designation System to improve tactical effectiveness. These may reduce costs by aligning the RAAF's pod configuration with that of U.S. forces."Northrop Grumman has delivered more than 700 LITENING pods to customers worldwide. The systems have accumulated more than 2 million operating hours.(Northrop Grumman)

AV-8 Gempita with LCT30 turret and Ingwe anti-tank guided missile from Denel-South Africa (photo : Sekut Gulo MMP)Denel Land System is supplying 176 turrets for the Malaysian project; the contract covers 69 armed with the DLS 30 mm CamGun; 54 armed with the same cannon and the Denel Dynamics Ingwe missile; and an overhead weapons station for the armoured personnel carrier variant of the Malaysian vehicle.The LCT30 ATGW variant is the most well-armed variant of the AV8, and is equipped with the LCT30 ATGW turret from Denel Land Systems. The LCT30 ATGW turret is armed with a Denel GI30 30mm gun and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun as well as four ZT3 Ingwe 127mm anti-tank guided missiles. The Ingwe is a laser beam riding missile with a range of 5000m and the ability to engage moving targets. 54 units of this variant will be produced in the first batch of 257 AV8s.12 of the IFV-25 variant which is fitted with a one-person FNSS Sharpshooter turret armed with a stabilised ATK Armament Systems M242 25 mm dual-feed cannon and an FN MAG 58M 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun (MG) are assigned to the 19th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, which is said to require 88 Gempitas in total. This beast is already in operational in Sabah.(Malaysia Military Power)

26 Oktober 2015

A CH-47D Chinook conducts load lifting trials with HMAS Canberra in Jervis Bay. (photo : RAN)The Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit along with C Squadron, 5 Aviation Regiment has conducted a ‘quick look’ trial of the CH-47D Chinook onboard the Navy’s Flag Ship, HMAS Canberra. The trials were conducted over a week with preliminary work being conducted at HMAS Albatross and the flying trials conducted at sea on 20-21 October 2015.The Chinook helicopter conducted a series of evolutions to HMAS Canberra’s flight deck including launch and recoveries along with an assessment of external load operations known as vertical replenishment or VERTREP. An assessment was also made of aircraft lashing schemes and refuelling procedures.This trial was the precursor for a full First of Class Flight Trial planned for the CH-47F in late 2016. The CH-47D and CH-47F are both operated by C Squadron from Townsville in Queensland.Commander Air HMAS Canberra, Commander Paul Moggach, said the trial represented another milestone in operational capability for the ship.

A CH-47D Chinook on the deck of HMAS Canberra during First of Class Flight Trials in Jervis Bay. (photo : RAN)

"We are already authorised for deck operations with MRH-90 Taipan and S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, and the Chinook activity this week has further expanded our knowledge," he said. "We look forward to operating with Army helicopters in support of our amphibious roles."The outcome of the trial is to provide a limited CH-47D operating envelope to the Landing Helicopter Dock or amphibious assault ship.(RAN)

KFX radar (image : ilbo)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean defense officials are in a quandary over how to acquire an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a key component for the country’s fighter development program code-named KF-X, following the US refusal to transfer the advanced radar technology.South Korea had expected to learn the AESA technology for the KF-X jet through offset deals connected to its F-X III contract to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-built F-35As.South Korea seeks to develop a twin-engine KF-X fighter jet on par with the F-16 and produce 120 units starting in 2025 to replace its F-4 and F-5 fleets. The project is estimated to cost some US $16 billion.But the US government refused to transfer four of the 25 fighter technologies South Korea wanted, citing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Those technologies concerned AESA, an electro-optical targeting pod, infrared search-and-rescue systems, and a radio frequency jammer.During the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which ran from Oct. 20 to 25, European radar makers sought to woo South Koreans apparently disappointed by the US.

Saab new AESA radar (photo : SAAB)Sweden’s Saab offered to develop an AESA with South Korea.“We’ve done the flight test with the backend system and antenna elements,” said Tom Bratt, marketing executive of Saab Electronic Defence Systems. “We’re ready to go to the next phase once we have a platform available. Then we can start to make all the proper integrations.”Bratt said Saab could complete the development of the AESA system with South Korea, as the Swedish company had been engaged in a joint study on the radar with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), which is affiliated with South Korea’s arms agency.“Once we have a contract, it will take about two years to deliver the first system,” he added.Finmeccanica’s Selex is pitching its Captor-E radar fitted for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The British and Italian aerospace group recommends Seoul adopt the Selex radar and subsequently localize it in phases.“The bottom line is we’ll try to meet the Korean demands as much as we can,” a Selex official said on condition of anonymity.“The best option right now is for Korea to produce the Captor-E radar under license first, and with Selex’s tech transfer, Korea would be able to localize the AESA technology,” he said.

Selex Captor-E AESA radar (photo : Finmeccanica)Israel also has joined the radar competition, capitalizing on its previous works with South Korea.Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) supplied its EL/M-2032 pulse Doppler radar for the FA-50 jet, a light armed variant of the T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft. The company now is offering the EL/M-2052 airborne AESA fire control radar for the KF-X plane.“We’re willing and looking forward to cooperating with Korea,” said Igal Karny, deputy director of Elta Systems’ marketing and sales division. “The whole radar is our radar. We’re exporting the radar according to our regulations,” Karny said, apparently referring to Korea’s wariness of AESA export control.Unlike European and Israeli firms, US radar manufacturers were cautious when talking about AESA cooperation with Korea.“I can only tell you that right now we don’t have a license required for us to discuss KF-X radar cooperation,” a Raytheon official said.Northrop Grumman was a bit more active in participating in the KF-X effort, as it seeks to sell its scalable agile beam radar to Korea.“We’re very interested in it, and we’re following the [KF-X] program actually,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s electronics systems. “We have a long partnership with Korea, and we want to be here for a long time in the long-term view.”

Northrop Grumman SABR AESA radar (photo : Northrop Grumman)Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which is in charge of KF-X integration, puts a priority first on reducing risk before locally developing an indigenous AESA system. KAI favors buying an AESA either from the US or other nations to develop a KF-X prototype.“We favor a two-track approach toward acquiring AESA technology,” a KAI spokesman said. “We can develop a KF-X jet equipped with either US or European AESA system over the next five years,” he said. “In the meantime, the ADD and a foreign radar company could push for developing an indigenous AESA within 10 years at the earliest, so the next KF-X block models would be fitted with the locally developed radar.”The presidential office backs the two-track approach as a way of easing public anger over US rejection of tech transfer.“I believe we can develop our own AESA and other key technologies within 10 years,” National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-jin said in a National Assembly audit Oct. 23.“We’re seeking technical assistance from a foreign partner in order to manage or reduce risks of independent development of key systems,” he said, adding the ADD has implemented research and development of AESA since 2006.The ADD has been in contact with radar companies from the US, Europe and Israel to find ways of purchasing an AESA system and gaining technical cooperation, according to sources. A selected partner company is expected to work with LIG Nex1, a precision weapons maker, to develop an indigenous AESA.Engine ContestCompetition is also heating up between US and European engine companies. Eurojet Turbo is offering its 4.5-generation EJ200 engine to power the KF-X, touting the product’s exportability and growth potential.

IAI EL/M 2052 AESA radar (photo : IAI)“We’re delighted to offer the EJ200 engine for the KF-X program. This is the latest, proven engine,” said Clemens Linden, CEO of Eurojet. “The engine has an easy maintenance concept with 15 modules that can be exchanged at the base without going back to the test house.”Linden stressed Eurojet would offer lenient technology transfer so Korea could export Eurojet-based engines to third nations free of US export control.“When the KF-X program advances and grows, we can have joint development with the Korean industry to grow the engine further,” the CEO said, adding that his company will help Korea learn engine integration skills.General Electric is pitching its F414 engine, highlighting its long experience producing engines under license with the Korean industry.GE stresses the development roadmap for the F-414, which powers the US Navy’s Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, and GE’s succesful work on a number of international programs, including KAI’s T-50, the Saab Gripen and the Hindustan Aeronautics Tejas.“KF-X is the largest ever military weapons development program in Korea’s history, and it will require low-risk solutions in terms of cost, technology and life-cycle management,” Al Dilibero, vice president of GE Aviation, said. “GE will bring the best and the most diverse fighter engine integration experience around the world to KF-X, which will lower overall risk of KF-X development.”KAI issued the request for proposals for the engine weeks ago and responses are due Nov. 4. The winner is scheduled to be announced by February and stands to sell about 400 engines. (DefenseNews)